Searching for Calcutta

In a world filled with so many searching, hurting, and struggling I believe in a Divine Design. I believe EVERY life has a purpose, every human has a calling, a God Ordained Passion,ready and waiting for us to take that first leap of Faith. It's a hard leap and at times a shaky one, but that's all that's needed.  Knowing the calling, recognizing it, and seeking it is the hardest part. Not knowing the outcome of pursuing that passion is where belief takes flight.
Things can be so complex and we get bogged down with the day to day responsibilities that a lifetime goes by and before you know it our dreams and passions have gone, disappeared, maybe changed. Sometimes those responsibilities become our reasoning for doing NOTHING. It's a routine, one we like, love, and is comfy. I no longer want to be comfortable. I want to jump wholeheartedly into the Cause.

 I don't want my impact to be slight, I want to impact the world in such a mighty way, and not for the reasons you may think. But because I believe that we were all created for such things, for things known as God Ordained Passions. Therein lies the difference between Dream Catchers and Dream Chasers.

Some of our worlds Greatest Knowns and Unknowns have had them, Dreams, and God Ordained Passions. Reasons and Causes to pursue and change the world. And THEY did.
For Fifty years a woman that we all know as Mother Teresa worked among the poorest slums in a place called Calcutta, India. Little did she know what HER impact on the world was going to be as day by day she labored FOR those around her. WOW look at all the lives she touched. She was asked often by admirers, and those around her for  advice on how they could help to change the world. Do you know her response? Nothing froofroo. Simply
"Find your own Calcutta".

                  If you knew that your actions could change just one life, what would you do?

Life's Lessons

You know there's a lot of lessons in life. Some good, some bad, some useless, and some that enhance your life forever. I've learned a lot in my days and as a parent struggle to figure out which ones to very gently or quite animately pass on to my children. I am a believer (to an extent) that you learn your own lessons in life, love, and everything after. But without guidance those lessons can quickly snowball into mistakes. So being the nurturing being that I am I did infact pass on a little knowledge this week to the heathens and here are those lessons...with the appropriate warnings that SHOULD have been attached when I stumbled upon such wisdom.

Lesson #1...NEVER I repeat NEVER clean a bathroom with enough chemicals to run the Hindenburg without proper ventilation. Furthermore don't tell your children to stay out of the said bathroom because it's the equivalent of a methlab on the off chance that the neighbor comes by to say "hey" giving  them the opportunity to offhandedly tell her "you stepped out back to get some air after being in your methlab". mmmm Thanks Ethan.

Lesson #2 When discussing OVERLY priced Christmas list in ANY conversation NEVER state "Well it's the only thing he really wants so I guess even if I have to work the corner we gotta get it" apparently this will plague your offspring to the point of nervous breakdowns. Not only does it make them skittish about the impending holidays but they might second guess everything you've ever  purchased on the chance it was bought with "corner money". Parental FAIL

Lesson#3. When trying to have a great Saturday morning just you and your spawns I do not recommend starting with Krispy Kreme, Lowe's workshop, and then a fire prevention parade because it will apparently end in you teaching them how to Crip Walk....which will seem like a great idea...every parent teaches this right??? They may find themselves in a sketchy situation one day and it could save their lives right?? Well a sketchy situation does NOT include ANY activity at church, Which is where my two decided to show off their new dance moves....much to my dismay and lots of "wait a minute, I know that dance glares" and "where did on earth did they learn that stares" oiy when will I ever learn?

(A More Real) Love Story

A Twitter What?

I don't consider myself  to be behind the times, socially slow or a loser...But am I?
Never mind that I was a band geek, didn't have my first cellphone till I was 22, way over stayed my welcome on Myspace, Play Frontierville on Facebook, never use all my texts for the month,and am still stumbling through the blogsphere trying to figure out the stinking tabs thingy.....I DON'T TWITTER...I know gasp.

Should I? I'm not sure.

On one hand I don't want everyone in the Universe knowing when I pee (I know don't tweet it) It scares me. Am I gonna know when other people pee? I know I have NO idea what it's all about. But like right now while eating my Honey Nut Cheerios would I be expected to post that? Would it consume way more of my life than the other social networks already have? Cause lets face it I'm trolling this crap for hours on end. Would my family feel abandoned with my Twitter obsession like they did during the six months I was addicted to Farmville and then during my recovery...knowing all my crops were withering? I've got an addictive personality people.  Something sparks my attention and daggoneit I go down in flames!



But on the other hand....it's sooo good for promoting blogs (well it would be if I actually wrote something worth reading) So do I follow in all the Greats footsteps and Twitter up a storm? Will I magically attract more readers? Cause lets be real. Every little face that pops up in the google network that actually likes what I'm babbling about is like having your first baby. It just makes you want more. I totally identify with Brangelina ...again ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY.

SO should I, shouldn't I...do you Twitter?

Would you Twitter with me.

I'm on a ledge here people!?

From the Mouths of Babes

Just a few of the lil quips from the passengers of The CrAzY TrAin that I found noteworthy this week. Not sure if I should be appalled, giggle, proud or dismayed, but whatever the reaction they were quoted and make for interesting blog fodder...

"This is like a bad episode of Oprah" ~ Ethan

(I was unaware Oprah makes his afternoon watch list)

"Well Ethan, this is just another case of you wasting your intelligence" ~ Izayah

"That's why they invented hand sanitizer...no need to shower" ~ Ethan

(wonder what Oprah'd say about that one?)

"Yeah her death stare is worse than her throwing a shoe" ~ Izayah

(I don't throw shoes at my children...ok maybe just once ahem)

"My Spanish teacher is grumpy. But she's from Cuba, so I'm pretty sure Castro has something to do with her mood" ~ Ethan 

"You're really in college?? I thought you just faked studying so you didn't have to clean" ~ Izayah

(yes I am growing aware of this child's image of me blah)

Kids say the darndest things, mine especially!

My sister and I have joked that we're gonna start "quote books" for all of our clans. I think it would be such a cute idea and what memories to pass down to my kiddos kiddies!

So do your offspring have any quotable moments? I'd love to hear them =}

Finding Grace

It's that time again, not quite sure if I'm tired of hearing about it, reveling in the thought of it, or just plain glad it's said, done and over with....Back to School. Today is the boys' second day back, this year it's new schools and un-chartered territory for us....somewhat inner-city schools on top of middle school. So it's been an emotional few days. On my part anyway =}

 I believe that Shanna, a contributor over at Don't Call Me Edith!, wrapped it up pretty well in her post about the expectations of the summer and the relief of parents at this time of year. I whole heartedly agree with her, and no matter how you view sending your kiddos off during the days to some one else you have to ponder the lessons of as Shanna calls it "yesteryears".

 And a pondering I did do. In just the two days of having my days back to being "mine" (although being a Mommy nothing is ever FULLY "mine" again) I've had the chance to breath and actually miss my children. As I've gone through the house picking up wayward socks, straightening haphazardly made beds, refolding clean laundry, and wiping toilet seats,without anyone to gripe at and insist that they redo the above mentioned chores I've reflected. Reflected on the so called nagging, and the molding of my mini-men. And I've wondered where did all the grace go?

You know Grace? Mercy? Cutting someone some Slack ?Websters dictionary defines it as:

n.

1.

The exercise of love, kindness, mercy, favor; disposition to benefit or serve another; favor bestowed orprivilege conferred.

So it makes me wonder. When they were little I showed the boys Grace over accidents, spilled milk, spats, broken toys, and all the other things that make up life with toddlers. But how much Grace do I show them now? All the forgotten chores, hidden messes, fights & bickering and all the other things that make up life with little people. Somewhere somehow am I missing the mark?

As much as all the responsibility molds and makes our children who they are so do the unspoken acts of Kindness, Mercy and  Grace. Do I show them as much as I could or am I busy with all the fifty million-thousand other things I have to accomplish? Over the summer I've become extremely quick to snap, grumble, yell, scold, and shew away...cause Mommy's BUSY!

But it seems to me that children naturally grasp the concept of grace and mercy, it's after years of being shown none or very little that they themselves adopt most adults attitudes on the subject. They naturally forgive, forget, and move on. They don't dwell on the shirts you forget to wash, the cookies you didn't get time to make, or the books you can't find the time to read them. They cut you slack and show you Grace and continue loving you. I'd like to learn from them.

That's what I hope to do, to show my boys what Grace really is. I've spent years looking for it and working for it, when all I really had to do was start exercising it. Because now I do know, to GET Grace, you've got to GIVE Grace. And I think a journey to Grace is a trip worth taking, one that allows you and all those around you to blossom and be the people they were meant to be.

Somebody Could Have Warned Me!

How appropriate that Mama Kat posted this prompt for her writing workshop after my super wonderful Mothering posts the last few days. You've gotten to get a peek at the mothers round me and how they make me a step closer to saint hood j/k but in my eyes I can pretend what I want. Yesterday we took a little trip delving into maybe what the kids might see when looking at us. And today you get the TRUTH, well, as told by me and all the little things I overlooked not knowing until the minions arrived :)

So here are ten things I had no freakin idea about until I became a Mom...

1. Breakfast should always be ready...if you are awake or not...because THEY will ravage through a kitchen like a tornado and the looters that accompany them.

2. You can save yourself 2 million dollars by only buying Ramen Noodles, children (or mine anyway) will more than willingly eat those for every meal and indeed want seconds. So why bother.

3. If you are the spanking parent..you probably have good kids...but in some places it's frowned upon. CHILDREN KNOW THIS...who the hell told them? SO they might respond to their punishment with "I'll call CPS" and you can respond with..."well they'll have to find your body first" :)

4. Laundry baskets are a ploy to get all our hard earned money. You can spend a butt load on the coolest, most awesome, change your life kind of basket...there will never be any clothes IN it..beside it maybe, but never IN it. It will be used to build forts, carry supplies, and as a sled when it snows. I promise!

5. T.V.s and video games should never be put in your kids rooms. This is a grave mistake but you won't know it until report cards come home. *fingers crossed for Monday*

6. No one ever told me I would cry hysterically on BOTH my boys first days of school not wanting to let them go but then be reduced to tears every time the weather man wants them to stay home.

7. Chores are an easy concept one that I am willing to share equally with my family:) But be prepared to chose your delegation wisely or you will never know when you are out of dog food, detergent, windex, guinea pig bedding, or that the toilet brush is missing....until you need them.

8. No matter how healthy and germ free you try to be it's impossible with kids, they share everything! Socks, underwear, whistles, water bottles,toothbrushes, forks! And with all the tromping through the creeks and woods, rolling in the mud, storing turtles and frogs and what have yous in coolers and never washing their hands it's a germ heaven and a Mom's nightmare. On top of the fact if you have boys that never want to miss out on a moment of fun there is NO way they are gonna tell you their throat or head hurts. Which only means that you are the one that catches whatever they've had and then when you're finally sick...they hurt too :(

9. You'll be best friends with the School Secretary, between everything that the kiddos forget and you day after day give to her, and all the times that "they are sooo sick" and miraculously are cured when they get home will make you and her fast friends. Most of your daily communication via email will be with their teachers...cause you're a parent to what well call the "class sparkler" aka freakin class clown. And most of those emails will begin "Hey Lady, It's me again"
At least you have adult interaction???

10. They steal your heart, and it's the one thing you don't demand they give back! On a daily basis you will laugh over their shenanigans, cry over their growth and relish every minute you have left with them, even though they drive you crazy. They have your heart and nothing can change that. They are the best therapy for what ever emotion you need to work through, and I would risk life and limb for them. And that's something I never really understood until they were here <3
If someone would have only warned me :)

Why God Made Moms

I got this as an email today and thought it was soooo funny I had to share it. It's so cute to see the way the some kiddos view their Mommy. My posts have also been somewhat mushy, which is not quite me, and really who wants to hear me gush anyway?



WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:


Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.


What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.


What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy...

3. They say she used to be nice.


What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?


Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.


Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.


What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.


What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.


What would it take to make your mom perfect?


1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Parental Unit Slackers

What makes you good parent? What makes you a bad one? How do you know which one you are? I know everyone doubts themselves and questions if they are missing some parental gene that others seem to possess. I don't do everything right, I'm a smart ass, I know it, and sometimes it's hard for me to shut off when dealing with my boys. Geez see previous post and you'll know what I'm referring too.

But J and I do put our boys first, we play games with them, even when it's really the last thing we want to do (insert last night and the longest game of Pictureka you have ever seen), we take them fishing, camping, shooting, scouting, we're at all their games, and we genuinely love to sit at the table with them and BS. I think we are very connected to our boys and even though their Dad is gone ALOT they respect what he does and know that he does it to make the world a safer place for them. They know I do my best, mostly by myself and most IMPORTANTLY they know they are LOVED and can come to us no matter what. They have already shown us that they truly believe in that theory.

We live in a community of blended families, BROKEN (and I don't necessarily mean single parent)homes, and long deployments. And in all that mix are children who seem to get lost in the shuffle. Some of us do our best to make sure that doesn't happen, and then there are those of us who just don't care.

My heart bleeds for them, and my home has become some what of a refuge, when it can be. Anyone that has known us for even a teeny amount of time can tell you our house is the hot spot, there are always 4-5 kids whom I did not birth hanging out, eating, playing, and talking our heads of at our house.

Sometimes it's a bit overwhelming for me. I didn't grow up like that. Despite adult feuds with my parents I had the perfect childhood. Everyone loved my Mom and Dad and always felt welcomed by them. So I guess in essence we have become them...eekkk. But the Hubs didn't have that, and he has to remind me, that at 7:30 am when the doorbell starts ringing and it's neighborhood kids coming in to eat their poptarts at my kitchen table, or coming in for me to fix their hair for pictures, or iron their collars, and needing a ride cause it's raining cats and dogs, to take a deep breath cause "they don't get that at home Resh".
I'm getting kind of emotional now...which was not the way that I wanted to start my Monday :) I know in the end the love they feel here, even while driving me crazy, is worth it.

Sometimes the Hubs surprises me too. Case in point...it's a snow day, I was looking forward to sleeping in...the door bell rang at 7:15 and again at 7:30 with the local kiddos who's parents are at home and still in the bed. But they're now on my couch, cause their mom and dad didn't even care enough to get up this morning and realize there's no school. Who does that to at 10 year old? And might I add it's not the first time. I think they think by the time the kid figures out there is no school today, it won't be their problem. I'm not bashing another parent for a mistake or mishap, or for over looking something...god knows I do that...but it's a habit, almost like clock work when it comes to their children. Something I have learned to count on, which is sad.
I was gonna go back to bed after I told them "no school" but the teddy bear stuck in a massive body that I call the husband decided if they'd rather be here they should be. I think he sees himself in them, and wishes someone would have lent a hand. Even if that someone was a computer obsessed, hanging on for dear life with their own kids housewife....like me. So it was P.B & J pancakes all around this morning.

I guess it doesn't surprise me, some Mom's are just too tired, the deployments, the training, the if the Army would have wanted you to have a family they'd have issued you one, all of it weighs on a person, but I'll be DAMNED if it's the kids it weighs on. So I'll put my groggy foot forward and fill as many up with love as I can.

And when I doubt myself I'll look back and realize that somewhere somehow I've made a place that isn't always clean, usually noisy, most the time a crazy hectic home that some call paradise and where all are welcome.

Guess I should figure out something for all of us to do today. Seeing as how their parents haven't even checked to see where their kids are, I think they'll be here awhile.

It's been a SCRAMBLED kinda Week.

It's the SUNDAY SCRAMBLE with Justine and I have waited all week!!!! This week has been insane..kinda, sorta?!

I got a call a little while ago from the Hubs that sent me into overdrive! He's on his way home, "WHAT NOW?" Yeah I wonder what was running through his mind when I said that...hahaha. So I woke the 5 boys up that were strategically placed ALL over my living room and BARKED "Dad's on his way home...clean up your bachelor party gone wrong mess and clean up NOW" followed by "Do as much as you can Mommy's gotta go blog" PRIORITIES....He wasn't supposed to be home yet, so if it's a mess it's his fault and Uncle Sam's after all they robbed me of getting to see the new Denzel Movie for Friday night date night....f#$&ers!


I'm so lame...my Saturday nights aren't even cool anymore. I used to relish the weekends and play WOW on Saturday nights...it's even lost it's luster...what the hell is wrong with me? Last night I watched back to back basketball games...UK then KU...I hate KU but I had to watch just to see if The Cats could hold their #1 ranking....seriously totally not me, especially by myself, well plus beer.
But before the game my girlfriend and I sat on the phone surfing the net for boudoir and pin up photographers...till her husband got home and most likely wondered what in God's name she was upto. I can imagine that conversation :)




But we were productive she is all knowing and that's one of the reasons I LOVE her. With her expertise I believe I have founded the camera that I will spend some of my tax cut on!! YAY


Oh speaking of the new found generosity of the Hubby and my part of the taxes. The MYSTERY has been solved!!!! His gov't travel card bill came in...ohh he's an ASSHAT. $800 worth of charges in 2 weeks...Seriously what strippers car note did you pay for the month? No wonder he was like Baby take a thousand and spend it on YOU, nothing for the house, or the kids..you. HMMM

ON to stripperific...I'm not knocking it I would totally do it to feed my kids..and I LOVE glitter. But if you are sexyhousewife271@aol.com....I do not want to date a lonely cheating housewife...So if you are reading this...I am a lonely housewife and I am not into other housewives...geez. Now if you can find me a lonely househusband HOLLAR at your girl...***I do not condone infidelity, I entertain the thought. I AM JUST PLAYING PEOPLE!!

Damn I'm full of sprite and vinegar this morning. Muhahahaha




Have you been following the Xgames? See told you I'm a lameo or the testosterone has finally fried my brain..But I am now in love with Kelly Clark and I want to be just like her when I grow up. I'm gonna learn to snowboard right after the guitar lessons that I haven't told the Hubs he has to pay for.
Isn't she AWESOME? Even though Beiler beat her. Kelly you still have my heart :)


That's like 2000 ft of air

I'm getting hungry so I'm gonna have to wrap this up...and Mickey D's just showed their commercial for the Mac Snack Wrap...have you tried it yet...I had 3 this week I think I've found a lover. It's all the goodness and artery clogging of the Big Mac but without the overzealous BUNS...what's not too LOVE hun?

Also Miss Justine are we supposed to be using your super cute breakfast face or should we find our own sausage? teehheee

Till next Sunday `when you get to see my scrambled brain cells my loves..
I'll be cleaning up pee, cooking for the masses and refing boxing matches <3

Easy Peasy

I'm linkin up again with The Lovely Lori for her Get your Craft on Thursday. Little late this morning posting but I had coffee this morn with my "Favorite Airforce Wife Husband" accompanied by a lil chit chatting bashing on life! So a pot of joe later and I am ready to show you my craftiness for the week...

It was super easy and it's nothing big and didn't require alot on my part but it's one of my favorite parts of the computer room.
I'm cheap and you should all know that by now, sorry but it was either genetically ingrained or the military pay check that has caused me to be this way...I could go on and on about my lack of spending and that my favorite phrase is "After taxes" bahahaha. But I will continue on to the good stuff.

On my Hobby Lobby trip a few weeks ago I caught some great deals and instead of getting what I needed to finish my on going projects I walked out with new materials and inspiration for new goodies...Don't you love when that happens?






I bought these because I love decorating with them, they were also on SALE :) But I didn't want to do the normal thing with them i.e. display them in a cute container. My computer room is lacking in "table space" and "wall space" so I'm having to think outside the box in this room!


SOOO what to do.... I've got a soft spot for ribbons and sparkle but not in the conventional way. And I always fall in love with the most expensive ones, but never talk myself into buying it...unless it's on SALE....dang it was my lucky day!
But for once I didn't have to settle on the one I liked but didn't LOVE at half price I couldn't pass it up...you'll have to tune in later to see what else I have done with the ribbon.





So you add it all up, throw in a little hot glue for good measure, a few nails for hanging and this is what you get.....





So I LOVE them and it was so easy peasy!! Here's a look at it from the door way...so you can get the full effect. I'm still trying to find the perfect curtains for this room...it might be what I spend some of my "cut" of the taxes on, we'll see. I guess it's been so long since I bought curtains I didn't realize how hard finding the perfect ones is!




Well now I'm off to shampoo up the puppy pee blahh, help the Hubs pack and pull dinner for 10 out of my a&% with what I have left the day before payday....this should be interesting.

Have fun Crafting ya'll!

"Females"....*shakes head*

My home is dominated by males, we watch guy shows, do guy things, and they even voted to keep the toilet seat up since there is only one person in the house (me) that needs it down. So is it any wonder that those that dwell in my house just don't understand the things that plague my gender?

I'm prone to what has been lovingly deemed "Girl Freak-outs" thanks to my guys. One week a month they all walk on egg-shells...they try to be extra loving and overlook that I am not myself. There are sometimes that even question what the hell is wrong with me??? So is it any wonder that when something so teeny is blown up to a catastrophic event that I get the "Females" grin and shake head gesture?

I find myself doing the same this morning... A friend of mine, who is the mother of another scout and one that I have been friends with for a year or so deleted me from her facebook this morning, cause I haven't found enough time for her...I guess it's no love lost.

My only sister whom I used to be thick as thieves with and I have had some bad blood recently, she married my Hubby's best friend a year ago this month, and they too haven't really been speaking...due to the sister feud. We haven't spoken in about 9 months, my brother called me to tell me the big news. Wait till you hear. After my conversation with him I decided to call yesterday to talk to her and tell her I love her guess what she gave birth to my nephew Sunday morning. Last time I had spoken to her she thought she was prego. So I'm a new aunt to Kane Michael who is a healthy 7lb little brother to my niece Bella Rene` who also happens to look just like me and is my namesake. Now what if I hadn't called yesterday? I don't blame her, I'm trying to put myself in her shoes I guess, cause it's not totally her fault. But WOW I guess alot happened in 9 months huh? Alot that I missed out on cause both of us are sooo hardheaded.


Red (my sis) and Me

Bella my minion...I was there when she took her first breath <3

Another good friend of mine has decided to leave her hubby of 14 years and her 5 kids and apparently I get the 6 of them in the divorce and not her. It leaves me to wonder what makes us tick?

I know people change, grow apart and lead different lives. BELIEVE me I understand that aspect. But why is nothing ever small, subtle, or not emotional with our gender? Is it cause we LOVE so deeply? We care so much? Is it cause a blow out is sometimes our only closure that we can't let things gradually change?

I'm not blaming any of my fellow sisters...I can always handle something differently, and hope to get better and better at coping with what life throws my way. Even if it's just horrible P.M.S, running out of pepsi, or having a bad hair day. I guess what I am trying to say is I don't want anymore "Females" shake head kinda moments.

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

And she's so freakin excited!!

Can you feel my excitement through the screen???

After 10 years of wiping noses, and rear ends, babysitting every neighbors' kid we've ever had, and serving drunks drinks past the point of intoxication...I finally did it!

What did I do you ask? I'm a STUDENT!!

In the next week I'll receive my books, my courses, a few polo shirts and some freakin scrubs!! I love scrubs...so cute. For awhile I actually listed all careers that involved scrubs, just so I could wear them. Yeah my love for them is that deep. I might even get cutesy and make my own...ohh the possiblities. YES I know I'm not normal.

$5960 later I am enrolled to complete my degree at California Animal Behavior College <---I'm pretty sure that's a name that they may have just pulled out of a hat...or their ass...but who cares it's a DEGREE.

I've put it off for so long...you know the whole "well Hubby it's kinda hard to plan a career around yours" card, yeah I've played that one for A LONG time. Well he finally called my hand on that one!!

So I got my panties out of a wad and decided to get my shit together. A process that takes usually about 6 weeks, I did in about 4 hours....I am uber proud of myself *pats self on back* The Hubs is pretty stoked too.

For years now I have lacked the motivation to do anything about my dreams, or really anything that applies to me. I've struggled right through along side the Hubby while he achieved what started as his dream and ended up being the family's dream. People have asked me what that's supposed to mean? But see when you have a vital person in a group i.e. a family that wants something SO bad they can taste it, those surrounding them and those who are an intricate part of that person's life begin to taste it too. They also  begin to sacrifice for the cause, and that is exactly what the four of us did. My Hub will tell you, and he tells all the newbies, if your family ain't on board and don't stand behind you through the blood, sweat and tears, it's a LONG road. He says if it wasn't for US he wouldn't have made it where he is today.

So it finally clicked for me. Instead of using all of that as an excuse, I should be using it as motivation. I don't just want the boys to see dreams become realities through their Daddy, but through ME also. And the only person who can make that happen is me.

I am officially on my way to being a vet assistant, a groomer, trainer, and shelter animal rescuer...(yes that is a degree...it has a "technical" name but I'm too lazy to look it up and didn't really pay attention during registration) Dang I'm gonna be a sparkling student :)

But that field totally fits me, I'm the gal that breeds and births the dogs on the block, I'm the one that brings home strays and nurses them back to health. Digs bullets out of farm dogs, I've saved 2 pups from parvo...which might I add here...even the Veterinarian told me I couldn't do it pfff WELL I did. In reality I think I've finally found my fit!

So eventually I'll be working in a vet's office or worse case scenario and I am feeling kinda stiffled  I can rescue animals, train'em, clean'em up and sell them on craigslist bahahahaha. I foresee such a future ;)

All in all this is a pretty good way to kick start my week..

The Sunday Scramble...a little late

So I'm back...I know you missed me. but it's all good!! And the only reason I am on here at this very moment and not cuddlin with the Hubs <3 is to hook up with Justine's SUNDAY SCRAMBLE! I thought this was such a cute thing she was doing and was secretly  hoping that she would turn it into some kind of link up, so that I didn't have to COPY err umm well copy something else Justine was doing bahaha.

So the hubs is home....sigh.....and sporting a mighty fine tan, which me LOVES. He got in yesterday and picked up the youngest hoodlum and got to have a little Daddy/son time with him....aka play COD and eat junk food till they fell asleep where they sat. Which really doesn't differ too much from Mommy/son time...is that sad?

Last night at the campfire, you remember the oldest and I were in the wilderness this weekend, discussions of WOW and COD (for all you nongamers...World Of War Craft and Call of Duty, are you tracking now?) were flighting about and I was right on point with all the 11-17 year old males....this does make one question your goals in life. Being that I was the envy of all the boys, disturbingly not for hormone raging reasons but the level of my characters...I think I need a new hobby.
Here's what had me mesmorized  all weekend, and it held off the effects of frostbite pretty well too, thank God, cause man it was COLDER than a well diggers hiney, no lie.



Is there any wonder they call it "Ranger T.V."?
So the next camp out is survival camping, with just  a sleeping bag, emergency kit, and 48 hours...hmm think they can count me out! Because must I remind you Saline FREEZES.

Bahahaha remember my to-do list found here ? SO yeah I washed one car then it rained...aww too bad, mopped the kitchen, finished one project then decided I didn't really like the other, bought a new dog bed, gave 2 dogs away so I only had to bathe 3, but didn't do that either and I shaved my legs THIS afternoon. BUT I did vacuum the stairs and swept the fake snow off the windows...and obviously got us ready for camping  all in all pretty productive....Heee heee WHERE was my accountability on that people? :-D


This week a monumental thing happened....I hit the double digits with followers.....I know gasp and Thank you!! I really can't believe there are 13 people that actually CHOOSE to hear the BS I have to say every day. This truly amazes me *teary eyed* I still remember the day I logged on to find one persons face on my little blog...such a giddy feeling <3

So the Hubs must have really missed me, maybe he's feeling a lil lovey dovey right now, but the following conversation is on the record and you guys have to back me up incase he reniggs....I'll fast forward to the good part....
 Him -"So Babe, I'm gonna file taxes tomorrow"
Me- "OK"
Him- "What are you gonna do with your thousand"
Me- "I'm sorry, did you just say MY thousand"?
Him-"Yeah babe I was thnking you could have a grand and do what you want with it"
Me-"What the HELL did you do?"

So yeah at this point I don't care... bahahaha I get some moolah...you know what I can do with that?




Favorite picture of the week...such a cutie....oh and my son's pretty cute too. bahahaha






SO folks that's it for the Scramble, I'm 3 beers deep, sleep deprived and there is a hotty on the couch hollaring at me, haven't been able to say that for awhile. So either my dog just peed some where or he's had enough of football and we can watch the recorded episodes of FRINGE I have been patiently waiting for. Cause yeah we're THOSE people, less than 24 hours back and he's doing his thing and I'm doing mine...ehh count your blessings, otherwise you wouldn't get to hear my mouth and where would you be?

Home is Where Your Heart is.

So before you begin to read this there is one thing I NEED you to understand....the Hubs and I were married young, so young in fact that the parental unit had to sign for it (guess you probably just figured out where I'm from huh?)  I grew up in a semi-privileged  world, always had everything I wanted and needed and the Hubs more or less not.  He has always tried his best to provide for us, sometimes even moonlighting on the side to keep the lights on. I am  stubborn and he was is hard headed and we were determined to make our way in the world... on our own! AHHHH such dreams.

So when Mama Kat threw out the prompts for her Writer's Workshop today...I thought....bahaha I GOT this one.  The idea is to write about all the homes you grew up in....well from birth to marriage there were only 2, in middle life suburbia where all I ever did was sass the parents and whine to get more stuff.....Soo after maritial bliss is where the fun begins and where the world straight smacked me in the face....and so it begins.

The first Apartment we ever occupied seemed so perfect, then again we were young and in love and riding off into the sunset in our little KIA...right into the ghetto.  It was a 2 bedroom, maybe 700 sq ft box of  indoor outdoor carpeting, electric that was always on the fritz and roaches big enough to claim on taxes. Not exactly either one of our dream places, and for years the Hubby beat himself up over not being able to afford anything more. But you know what, it's the most memorable, and humbling place we've ever lived. And talk about a community that took care of it's own, if you were part of it, you were taken care of. The little old lady that lived above us, watched my baby and you know how I paid her? Did her laundry, and her shopping. This was a community that didn't have much, but if they had it, it was yours. I never celebrated ANY holiday by myself, we were always invited to every Sunday dinner and BBQ and if your clothes were in the dryer and someone else needed it, they folded them and brought them to you...and never stole your undies :)

Once I had a flat and got a ride home, my ride refused to drive into my neighborhood out of fear, the one emotion I NEVER felt there. SO what did I do? Hoofed it through crack corner and hooked up with a group of everybody's grandmas  that walked every day and straight to the house...I LOVED that place. And being able to say that I set on our front steps and watch not 1 but 2 rap videos taped..is pretty cool. It's an experience I'll never forget....WELCOME my friends to Oakmont North in Norflok, VA.


We've been military now for ten years and done a lot of moving, Hell I could write an expo on military housing alone....and that's exactly what our next home was base housing. Now we lucked out because our second duty station was great housing, but wait there's a catch. Anyone ever heard of Lemoore, California ??? Yeah didn't think so...that's because it barely exists. But man we thought we'd hit the JACKPOT. from a 2 bedroom East coast to a 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath, 2 car garage with a sliding glass door that actually opened West coast dream! Or so we thought. Lemoore is nothing but dairy farms and cotton fields with a base in the middle.We had to drive 40 something miles to the nearest Walmart! Not the California everyone thinks of huh? But for me it was the confirmation of a marriage, seems weird huh? But somehow moving from one coast to the other to follow my man, made it all the more real for me. So I have awesome memories of being outside with  boys, our favorite field that was always full of bunnies, Christmas lights on the palm trees, I had my first medical mystery, the oldest had his first set of stitches, the youngest really started talking and some of our first bonds with other military families came about  there. So this home also holds a special place in my heart. There's often times I'd like to live there again.



Then Uncle Sam decided we were too comfy and shipped us off to Texas....and man that was a WHOLE different ballgame. You see the Hubs had decided he wasn't seeing enough action in the Navy and ships weren't really his thing, he wanted guns and lots of them...so naturally (remember he's a hard head) the Army was calling his name :) So to Fort Hood we go...yes the tragedy at Hood this year hit us hard, we still have quite a few friends still there.  Again we found ourselves in base housing....BAD choice. Back to 2 bedroom 1 bath (that had jack and jill doors to boot...and they couldn't both be opened at the same time) crappy floored house. But that was the first time we actually had the funds to decorate and man was I excited! The boys shared a room again, but we had all new furniture, the kitchen was tiny but I labored in love for hours for all our friends.  My Desperate Housewives with Hot Cocoa night was founded there...it's a tradition I still honor <3 We were in a place that was all about community again and that felt good. Our oldest went to his first day of kindergarten from that house, the youngest learned to ride a bike there. Life long friends were made there, ones I still talk to every day and have held hands with through major tragedies, the kind that are still apart of our holidays? All in all minus the little things that house was a home filled with love.  

But the Hubs being who he is, always striving for better and even  better decided to make another career move...and that brought us here...back to the East coast. We've slowly but surely worked our way up as far as houses and neighborhoods go. We're back to a four bedroom multi-bath and garaged house, that finally feels like home. We've got colored walls...which is a big  deal when you've stared at white and or dingy walls your entire married career, and wonderful community and a house that is always filled with laughter. This house already has become a staple in our minds. This is where we lived when the Hubs best friend and the boy's godfather was killed in action, where the boys got to meet their grandfather for the first time, where their Daddy heard the first I love you's from him. Our marriage was Fireproofed here and our family made stronger. Our oldest will graduate from elementary, our youngest has become his own person, hopefully another baby will be added here. Dreams have been achieved and a woman, wife, and mom has found herself..
Those in my eyes are the things that make a home.

I only chose to highlight some of my favorite and most memorable houses, we've moved ALOT and you would never get through this post if I listed them all. I didn't intend for this to be an emotional post, but I'm sitting here teary eyed thinking about where we've come from and where we are now, and it only makes me wonder what changes are in store for the next ten years!

Have fun writng ya'll and thanks again Mama Kat for the inspiration!

Car decals will be my Death

So I now spend my days glued to all these MARVELOUS blogs and I get to read little snippets about all these AWESOME ladies. Which in itself is really cool. I've learned about some of your names, your storage ideas, your dogs and grandmas. But there are some things I am dying to know...and I know you wanna know the same things about me, cause everyone does, but you're too shy to ask *wink*

I figured what a better way to get to know the ladies that I now interact with on a daily basis then to get down to the nitty gritty. So after I answer some of the most crucial questions anyone could ever ask, I'd like for you to do the same...or even if you wanna just pick a few to answer in a comment I would be totally estatic err umm cool with that in a totally not nosy way.

Feel free to do the same on your blog if you're needing some inspiration today.
So I'll go first, not cause I ALWAYS wanna be the line leader...but it is my blog....just kidding.

If you could have one wish what would it be? <-----no world peace...this is not Miss America
        I would totally be a guy for one day, just to see where all I could stick IT :)

What's on your bedside table?
     Usually an alarm clock, garden gnome, and my current book.....right now...all the usual AND like 5 empty glasses, 2 beer bottles, a plate, and the remote!

If you could be a cartoon character who would it be?
    Betty Boop....she has the best boobs EVER <3

If you could recreate a vacation and or event from a movie what would it be?
    Have you seen The Hangover? Nuff said bahaha


What peeves you to the up most? It can be anything silly or very serious?
  Decals on cars, not bumperstickers I always get a laugh out of those! See pictures below:



"Hello walking target, let me follow you home"



"Because you need to let the world know you/or the hubs is a Master Sergeant sooo bad you had to place it in three different spots on your vehicle? Well hell you're still not getting my parking spot"







These are cute, and I wanted one for the longest, so I put one on FB. But it's not so cute when there's 12 kids and 48 animals.....like really? I swear I am gonna make one and put nothing but me and Goldfish on it...like 200 of them.

It's so hard for me to concentrate on the road!!!

SO just a lil diddy...hopefully you'll play along....have a WONDEROUS day.

I said WHAAAAT?

 So for reasons unknown, be it fates of the Gods or what not, my kiddos and I have had a very uneventful morning (well one puppy got dropped...he's fine) which is totally out of character for us. You see I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON! One boy is and one boys isn't, so the one that wakes up singing is my role model for a short period of the day. BUT this morning is different, we all woke up in a "Sound of Music" mood, everything is ready and we have some time to kill.


This post is born as they sit on my oasis  computer room floor and chat with me....see I told you it was unusual, no grunts just convo :) Boy #1 said something about the mom on Family guy and how smarty pants she could be and Boy #2 said something like just like our mom and Mom (me) said something like really how? I want examples.... and boy did they give them to me....hmmm



 I shit you not...these are real things that at some point in the day I found myself saying to my boys. The shocking part...it's all completely normal round here!!

1. Why do you have puppies in a pillow case?
2. Is there a reason you did that in the house?
3. Did you seriously just teabag your brother?
4. I didn't think you'd know about that till your hormones rage.
5. Stop taking pictures of your one chest hair, that no one else thinks is there.
6. Nooo febreeze does not take the place of soap
7. And how many times did you walk over that pile of poop?
8. Which Mom said she was gonna call the cops on you?
9. You have clean underwear so why are you free balling?
10. Why can't you spray paint things in the woods...that way no one knows it was you.
11. Give me back my lighter and your Dad's pocket knife, you're supposed to be playing not becoming the next uni-bomber.
12. AND my prized quip for the day: I really need a girl, so which one of you wants to wear dresses?

Sometimes I fear for my children's  mental stability. And if they end up on Oprah or Jerry Springer, I can say "I saw that coming." What kind of Mother am I? Bahahaha

Making a list Monday

So it's Sunday night, the boys and I have just finished watching Paranormal Activities and eating a meal that I actually cooked for the first time in over a week (chicken noodle soup and grill cheeses is a meal :P )
My monsters are scared shitless and refuse to come up stairs now, and I am thinking it was probably not the best choice of movies when Dad is gone......Oh well no use in crying over spilled milk, and two cuddle buddies won't be so bad tonight, but the 5 dogs might.

I'm making my list tonight because I have every intention of doing something besides staring at the computer screen tomorrow, we'll see how that goes.(hey I'm a realist)  Usually when the Hubs is away my house sparkles..albeit I do everything on a different schedule then usual, but my BIGGEST mess maker isn't here, which helps alot.

The problem this time is I have discovered so many WONDERFUL blogs and all their wonderful creations and my mind is spinning. This past week I have done started so many great things and I have finished quite a few.....but my house is in complete shambles and my children have eaten Banquet dinners or nonsense that they've scavenged  on their own for the better part of the week. So I HAVE GOT TO GET IT TOGETHER!!!
Plus the Hubs comes home and he need not know I'm such a slacker.

I've always been a list kinda gal and think it would do me some good to have some lists that are "set in stone" so to speak that I can't "lose" or put off till tomorrow, or delegate to the kiddos <----that's my fav thing to do (don't judge me)
Here's what I have need will attempt to get done this week.

• Shampoo the carpets
• Mop ALL my floors
• Clean both cars <---Hubs will shit a brick
• Finish the 2 projects I have left
• ALL the laundry
• Mail that damn book for the swap
•  Organize, Put away my craft stuff
• Clean the fridge...I swear something waved at me.
• Hose the fake snow of the windows...ehh there's still a chance of snow
• Clean and pack the camping gear for the scout camp-out this coming weekend...blahhh
• Cut out the games for the teacher that I have had for a month while now
• Bathe all 5 4 dogs
• Make a new slipcover for the dogs bed
• Shave my legs

Well there you have it....Come back next Monday to see what rolls over to next weeks to-dos, although I am pretty certain the legs will be shaved by Friday ;0)






What tops your list for this week? You trying to be Super Woman too?

Trying to find a fit

 SOO I know I have changed this layout a  few times, but trying to find one that fits and makes me giddy is so hard!!

It's a lazy Sunday, the boys are out playing GI Joe...go figure and we've done our 30 minute power clean for the day...the house needs more than that, but we live like bachelors when Daddy's gone, complete with frozen dinners :) 

If you guys will bare with me I am trying to find a template that sreams ME. So I am devoting the day to doing just that. I'm not even sure why I am posting this but I guess I am starved for conversations at the moment, that don't include anything to do with "well he did it first" or "I swear I was gonna let him have it"and last but not least "do we have to" plus I wanted to give you the heads up.

Once I find that "magical" look I WILL leave it alone..I swear, promise, ok I'll try.Blame it on my fickle A.D.D. that my parents never had me treated for.

If you have any insite feel free to share. Anyone have any awesome input?

A Box of LOVE

V-day is soon approaching and I'm soo excited. Even though I have spent at least 6 (that I can remember) out of 10 years of Valentines Days with the Hubs gone....I've never lost that giddy school girl feeling over a day devoted to romance. 

It's looking like this may be year number 7, so this year I thought I'd do something I've never done before...send gifts to other women that I barely know from online. NO I am not on the internet trolling, I joined a Valentines Day Swap.....doesn't that sound great?

Katie is so graciously hosting a swap and it sounds like so much FUN! I think it is so awesome that someone, somewhere, is gonna send me some great surprises, and I get to do the same! Head on over, check it out and let me know if you sign up!! I can't wait..it's like Christmas all over again!

p.s. Don't be mad at the Hubby, I'm not, I miss him, but I'm so proud of him I'll excuse his absences :) Plus he buys me goowit stuff <3

The A.B.C.s of Me, or something like it

This morning while browsing some of my newest obsessions reads I came acrossed a post of Justine's about her name and it's origin a.k.a how her momma picked it.  After her encouragement I decided to link up with  Mama Kat's Writers Workshop too!!

One of the questions of this week was inquiring about your name, and if there is a story behind it. Well seeing as I have probably one of the most mispronounced names in the WORLD and there is a little fairy tale behind it I thought I would share. Wanna hear it...here it goes..

My name is Recia Rene`...stumped  yeah it's pronounced Resha...make more sense now? Anywhoo my Mommy is the 6th girl in a family of 8 and she had a few sisters that at times she adored...notice I said a few and at times? One of  her sisters had a best friend that my mother absolutely idolized and the chick was kinda nice to my mom too...I guess?!

So picture this.....you're 8 and on the livingroom floor watching Donny Osmond sing some dreamy song about apples or something. There's a knock at the door, it opens and through the ray of blinding sunshine you hear someone with a slight Irish accent say something to the effect of "Top o'the Morning" (I'm ad libing here..I don't freakin know what she said).The door closes and there is the most angelic beautiful redheaded teenage girl you have ever seen in your ENTIRE life and you just know you're gonna name your first daughter after her and all your Barbies. And that is exactly what my mother did. 

I was named after a redheaded goddess apparently named Resha Anne O'something. She grew up, married an Irishman, had a daughter and named her me. I bet she sometimes wishes she'd have waited till my redheaded sister was born to use up the good name :) BAHAHA there you have it!

While I'm on the subject of marvelous lil me I thought I would take this link as a chance to get out there and get to know some people. 

So here's a few tidbits about this blogger:

~I'm an Army wife and have been for 10 years now.

~I married my highschool sweetheart and have moved all across the country with him

~We have 2 hair raisin fast flying boys

~I'm addicted to :

   ~Obviously this haha

   ~ Pepsi

   ~Marlboros

   ~Taco Bell

   ~ Jalapeno Cheddar Cheetos

   ~ Back rubs

   ~ World of War Craft <----Don't judge me

   ~ Beer

~I like to think I'm a procrastinator and just not lazy :)

~If we were going shopping I'd have to drive, most likely you don't drive fast enough for me <3

~ If the radio scan lands on a "throwback" any "throwback" it has to stay there!

~I like to sing at the top of my lungs in the car....yeah I'm that girl

~I'll spend $500 just to save $100, my Hubs is so appreciative *rolls eyes*

~ I was born a Kentuckian and have since been a Californian, Virginian, Texan, and now I'm a Carolinian

~I'm a Boy Scout leader....sorry

So the Moral of the story....I drive too fast, sing too loud, smoke too much and love too deeply, it's just the way I am <3